Dominican Friars Foundation: Overview

The Order of Preachers

The Order of Preachers is a vibrant men’s religious community established 800 years ago by St. Dominic “for preaching and the salvation of souls.” Following the Rule of St. Augustine and the Constitutions of the Order of Preachers, Dominican friars commit themselves to study, prayer, and preaching in order to be effective instruments of Jesus Christ’s saving mission.

St. Dominic

St. Dominic was born in Calaroga, Spain, in 1170 to a Catholic family known for its nobility, learning, and sanctity. 800 years ago, he founded the Order of Friars Preachers, also known as the Dominicans. To defend the Church against her enemies and to preach the Gospel, Dominic trained intelligent, well-spoken, and virtuous young men. Not only did he defend Catholic doctrine against the errors of his day, St. Dominic established the beautiful form of Marian prayer known as the Rosary.

The Province of St. Joseph

The Province of St. Joseph, founded in 1805, is one of four Dominican provinces in the United States of America, extending from New England to Virginia to Ohio. It is also one of the fastest growing men’s religious communities in the United States, with nearly 70 men in formation. Our friars engage in a variety of ministries, including serving as professors, parish priests, hospital chaplains, itinerant preachers, and campus ministers.

The Dominican Friars Foundation

The Dominican Friars Foundation is the 501(c)(3) advancement arm of the Province of Saint Joseph. The Foundation unifies the various fundraising efforts that support the Province. Headquartered in New York City, its express purpose is to support the Dominican Friars of the Province of Saint Joseph, especially the aging friars who have fought the good fight and the young who are preparing for battle.

With the support of the Dominican Foundation, the Friars work for the salvation of souls and the glory of God in parishes, hospitals, college campuses, and a variety of new evangelization apostolates.